Shueisha Launches Storyboard App World Maker With Netflix & TOHO Collab

Shonen Jump+ launches World Maker that lets users create thumbnail layouts for manga, animation, live-action shows, and movies.

Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ service recently launched the app version of its World Maker storyboarding service in Japan. The collaboration with Netflix and TOHO has led to the organization of contests. The app enables users, regardless of their drawing abilities, to create thumbnail layouts for manga or storyboards for various media formats like animation, live-action shows, movies, and commercials. Initially introduced as World Maker β (Beta) in August 2021, the app has undergone updates and improvements.

With the World Maker app, users can design manga page layouts using provided templates or customizing their own. They can refine their creations by incorporating characters, graphic elements, dialogue, and effects. Additionally, the app includes a machine translation feature that can translate the thumbnails and storyboards into 17 languages, including English, Chinese, Korean, and French. Users can share their work online, allowing others to view and provide feedback.

©Shueisha

To mark the app's release, World Maker is hosting the "World Maker Manga Contest," accepting submissions created using the app from August 1 to October 1. The contest winner will have their manga illustrated by Taishi Tsutsui (We Never Learn) and published on Shonen Jump+. Moreover, the winner will be awarded a cash prize of 500,000 yen (approximately US$3,580).

Apart from the World Maker Manga Contest, Shonen Jump+ and Netflix are collaborating to sponsor the World Maker Anime Contest, while Shonen Jump+ and TOHO are jointly supporting the World Maker Film Contest.